On Thursday, 16 July, we are pleased to be hosting a Public Sector SME Partnering and Networking event. This event will offer technology companies large and small the opportunity to network, learn from one another and find new ways of collaborating and forging partnerships. This event will take place in person at the techUK offices.
This event aims at fostering connections between large and small/medium size suppliers (SMEs) who operate in, or wish to operate in, the public sector tech market.
It’s a chance for the SMEs in the room to showcase your capabilities and explore the services you can offer through partnering with a large prime, the event is also useful if you’d like to partner up with another SME, and if you’re a large organisation it’s a chance to explore how you can potentially improve the services you deliver through having SMEs as part of the supply chain, and it’s a means for both SMEs and large organisations to expand the network of companies you work with.
If you’re an SME: techUK is always championing the work that SMEs do and the value they deliver. At the event all SMEs attending will have the opportunity to deliver a 1- 2 minute pitch – tell us what it is that you do, any challenges you face, and the value you can bring. If you would like to pitch please fill out this form.
If you’re a large company: The innovative nature of SMEs means that a partnership can bring a multitude of benefits. Through networking prepare to discuss what your company does to support SMEs, the value you see as a larger company and any advice you have for SMEs looking to break into the Public Sector market.
The way the event will run is as follows:
We are delighted to be joined by our speakers, Robert Vaughan, SME Lead, Assurance and Supply Chain Management, Group Commercial Directorate, Department for Transport and Henry Rex, Government Relations Director at Opencast Software. More speaker details to follow.
Following the presentations, we will move into our 1-2 minute pitches from the SMEs in the room – the pitches will be a way to help facilitate the networking discussions, and a way for everyone to hear the innovation we’ve got in the room.
The event will be of mutual benefit to both SMEs and large organisations operating in the public sector, so if you’re interested, make sure to book your place!
Heather Cover-Kus
Heather Cover-Kus
Heather is Associate Director, Central Government and Education at techUK, working to represent the tech supplier community to Central Government.
She started as Head of Central Government at techUK in April 2022 and was promoted to Associate Director in August 2025 supporting both the Central Government and Education programmes.
Prior to joining techUK in April 2022, Heather worked in the Economic Policy and Small States Section at the Commonwealth Secretariat. She led the organisation’s FinTech programme and worked to create an enabling environment for developing countries to take advantage of the socio-economic benefits of FinTech.
Before moving to the UK, Heather worked at the Office of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas and the Central Bank of The Bahamas.
Heather holds a Graduate Diploma in Law from BPP, a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from LSE, and a BA in Economics and Sociology from Macalester College.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-cover-kus-ba636538
Ellie Huckle
Ellie Huckle
Ellie joined techUK in March 2018 as a Programme Assistant to the Public Sector team and now works as a Programme Manager for the Central Government Programme.
The programme represents the supplier community of technology products and services in Central Government – in summary working to make Government a more informed buyer, increasing supplier visibility in order to improve their chances of supplying to Government Departments, and fostering better engagement between the public sector and industry. To find out more about what we do, how we do this and how you can get involved – make sure to get in touch!
Prior to joining techUK, Ellie completed Sixth Form in June 2015 and went on to work in Waitrose, moved on swiftly to walking dogs and finally, got an office job working for a small local business in North London, where she lives with her family and their two Bengal cats Kai and Nova.
When she isn’t working Ellie likes to spend time with her family and friends, her cats, and enjoys volunteering for diabetes charities. She has a keen interest in writing, escaping with a good book and expanding her knowledge watching far too many quiz shows!
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2015
- Twitter:
- @techUK,@techUK
- Website:
- www.techuk.org,www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://bit.ly/3mtQ7Jx,https://bit.ly/3mtQ7Jx
Charles Bauman
Charles Bauman
Charles Bauman is a Junior Programme Manager in the Central Government Programme at techUK.
He supports the programme’s mission to represent the technology supplier community to the UK government and advocate for digital innovation to address public sector challenges. Charles helps facilitate market engagement, foster partnerships, and ensure that tech suppliers and the government work collaboratively to improve outcomes, deliver value for money, and enhance public services for citizens.
Before joining techUK, Charles gained significant experience in research, analysis, and strategic advisory roles. At H/Advisors Cicero, he specialised in public affairs and corporate communications, while at Verdantix, he supported sustainability research and advisory projects, focusing on regulatory and environmental challenges.
Charles holds an MSc in Theory and History of International Relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and an MA in Medieval History from King’s College London.
Charles enjoys volunteering with a think tank, reading, hiking, and spending time with his dog and family outside of work.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Website:
- www.techuk.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-bauman-75712016b/
techUK - Transforming Public Services
techUK members are transforming public services in the UK. Our community help to shape a smarter, digitally empowered public sector.
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